Solihull twins celebrate THIRTEEN A*s at A level – and head for Oxford and Cambridge

Twins Jenny and Carrie Soderman are celebrating after achieving an astonishing THIRTEEN A*s at A level between them – and will now head off to Oxford and Cambridge.

The 18-year-olds, from Dorridge, are pupils at King Edward VI High School for Girls in Edgbaston.

Carrie will now read Natural Sciences at St John’s College, Cambridge, while Jenny will study Chemistry at Christ Church College, Oxford.

Carrie was awarded A*s in all seven of her subjects: Maths, Further Maths. Physics, Chemistry, Geography, General Studies and in her extended project within the AQA Baccalaureate, while Jenny received six A*s, in Maths, Further Maths, Physics, Chemistry, Latin and also in her extended project.

Both girls also got distinctions in their AQA Baccalaureate which includes 100 hours of community service and enrichment activities.

The pair won prestigious King Edward’s Foundation scholarships when they came into the school aged 11. Both achieved 11 A*s in their GCSEs in 2012 and also won Gold Awards in this year’s National Chemistry Olympiad. They have even found time to excel at sport, representing the West Midlands at hockey and playing tennis and sailing to a high level as well as helping to organise the school’s Dance Production.

“I was shocked but very relieved when we got the grades we needed,” said Carrie. “We’ve always revised together and encouraged one another – as well as playing a lot of sport together so it’ll be weird to be at different universities but we’ll still see lots of each other.”

“We both enjoy having a go at everything,” added Jenny, who recently won the Birmingham Schools Regatta, “and we’ll certainly keep our sport going at university. I’ve no idea whether we’ll manage to win Blues there – we’ll certainly give it a go.”

Principal Ann Clark said: “Jenny and Carrie are simply outstanding girls. They’re very hard working and fascinated by their subjects but ready to take part in everything else the school has to offer too. They’re very talented games players and keen dancers too and despite their success across the board, incredibly modest, always smiling and friendly. They thoroughly deserve their places at Oxford and Cambridge.”

Read more: http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/midlands-news/solihull-twins-celebrate-thirteen-as-7615664